The Elusive Marston Twin

[AusOB_Collector]

Hi all,

Was browsing through the lastest magazine from the AOMCI and there's this picture of a Marston twin in it. No idea how original it is.

Cheers
BP

[Charles uk]

Not that elusive, there are a few about, have tried contacting the owner on behalf of the Marston register to see if he wanted to unamericanize, as the register members have re-manufactured several of the higher wear components but he chose not to communicate.

There are other Marston models that are rarer up to now.

i.e.
Just on the lower unit the prop nut, gearbox end cap & oiling device are all US items.

[Oyster 49]

Nice to see a photo of the twin though. In my 8 years or so on this board I’ve never seen pics of a twin posted here. So indeed an elusive machine. Big and heavy, and I think a few known. I know of couple but I’ve not seen them in the flesh. I’d like a good look around one at some point.

Charles, is this the engine pictured on the SOS website, whereabouts unknown in the USA since the 80s? Or is it an additional one?

[Oyster 49]

Is the housing half way up the leg a FNR gearbox?

[Charles uk]

No it's an oil filled clutch with cork friction media on steel plates, almost 100lbs dry, 340 cc 10 hp.

[Oyster 49]

Yes a big, heavy and expensive motor for sure. Is this a new find?

[AusAnzani]

Nice outboard, even though it may not be entirely original.

regards,
S

[Oyster 49]

Its great to see a photo of one of these, as I mentioned earlier I think it is the first photo of a twin posted here other than the pics on the main SOS site. Interesting beast for sure.

I'm still wondering if this is the "lost" engine in the USA that appears on the SOS web page or is this a new find. I think 4 are known to exist, not sure if this makes 5 or not.

There is a write up on the SOS page about the factory's reason for not continuing with the twin, they basically decided to continue with lighter, smaller singles. Quite surprising when you consider how many small twins the Americans were selling by then.